HAPPY HALLOWEEN

The last day of October!!!!!! And, boy, did it go fast! Tonight was trick-or-treating here in Grove City and it rained the entire day! Me, being me, of course, kept saying that maybe it would be cancelled (and rescheduled, of course). My mom was laughing at me and saying that she has never heard of trick-or-treat being cancelled. LOL!! And she was right, I must say! Trick-or treat started at 6:00 and my kids and I were ready to roll at 5:55 - rain or shine! :) We had our big golf umbrellas and were ready to go! My mom and dad came with the boys and I (btw). So..........we go to about five houses and I suddenly realize that we are the ONLY ones out trick-or-treating!!!!! LOL! :) I look at my dad and say, "we are the only ones out going trick-or-treating!" My dad looks at me and says, "that's 'cause we're STUUUUUUPID!" And we both start laughing our heads off!!! For the record, after that, there were TONS of people! I think there were more trick-or-treaters this year than last! And it was a cold, dark, wet, rainy night! Oh well. I mean, come on, it's free candy!!!! You gotta go!!! LOL! :) Oh, yeah, and I have to mention this! There is one street in my neighborhood called Carlotta (yes, it always makes me think of Carleta)! :) Anyway, that street got smashed with trick-or-treaters!!!! They were everywhere!!! It was unbelievable!!! Well, Jack and I walk up to one house and there are ALL of these people standing there. There were a lot of people standing all around and there was a line for the candy! Crazy! Anyway, it looked soooo funny that I thought maybe something was going on - you know, something cool. In case some of you don't know - several homes in my neighborhood really sets some scary and cool decorations up. So, I figured that must be what is going on at this very packed home! So.........I ask a lady what is going on and she said nothing. It was totally, for real, the candy line!!!!! That is how busy that street got!!! There was actually a line clear to the sidewalk at this house!!! Insane!!! :) We had a fun time and the weather turned out to be real nice! Perfect Halloween weather!!!! It reminded me of when I was a kid going trick-or-treating - so it was a good night!!!
I hope everyone had a great month of October!!!!! In the morning it will be the 1st of November! A month of giving thanks and thinking of others and....................MY BIRTHDAY!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! I will be expecting lots of calls, cards, well wishes, and, of course, money!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! LOL! :)
More later!
Cissa Says: Good Night!

Cissa Says!

Okay - I just stayed up late and watched a movie on HBO. It was called "In Her Shoes" and starred Cameron Diaz and Toni Collette. Anyway, it was another great movie! When it was out at the theaters - I had no interest in seeing it. I didn't think it looked that good and I am a becoming a little pickier when it comes to movies. I mean, they cost so much, for one thing, and I don't get to go that often. So..........this one was not on my list at the time! It just so happend that tonight every channel had reruns. Go figure?! Anyway, I was gonna watch an old Law & Order rerun (but I watch these all the time and kinda needed a break). So, what does a gal do?! Channel surf, that is what! :) I have a lot of channels and the movie ones are in the higher numbers so I usually check those last. They more often than not have something dumb on at the time I want to watch. Anyway, I am getting off track here. I finally get to the movie channels and voila! The movie "In Her Shoes" has just started! Lucky me! It must be my lucky day! :) First, all of my favorite shows are reruns. Second, nothing good (or worth seeing)is on the cable channels and third, a good movie is on HBO!!!! I am being sarcastic, of course! :) Well, let me just tell you - God works in small ways!!!! This one is a VERY GOOD MOVIE!!!! I highly recommend it!!!! It made me laugh - it made me cry - and it left me with a good feeling at the end!!!! So.........if you are ever at the video store looking for something to rent - check this out! You won't be disappointed!!
Cissa Says: Two Thumbs Up! :)

Cissa Says!

Did anyone watch "Desperate Housewives" last night? I thought it was HILARIOUS! One part in particular was the Lynette part where she kicked in the door and said "Ding Dong!" LOL! :) I laughed and laughed! It just cracked me up!
I also wanted to recommend two movies to see! Both of the magician movies (The Prestige and The Illusionist) are good movies! I recommend seeing both of them b/c they are very different from one another. And, personally, having already seen them, I would see "The Prestige" first. Both of these movies will keep you guessing until the end! Anyway, two thumbs up from me! :)

GRACIE!!!!!!!! :)

Here is our little angel girl Gracie!!!!! We finally (after several weeks) got to see her! She looks just like Heath and is a total doll-baby!!!! I know I previously stated that I can't stand "braggers" about their children! LOL! But I get to bend my own rules seeing that we haven't gotten to see her for so long! :) All I can say is that being an aunt is terrific!!!! She is my girl and we love her very much!!!! Thank you, Lord, for working in our lives! Thank you for teaching us patience. Thank you for letting us learn how to have faith in you! It wasn't easy, but it sure was worth the wait!!!! Btw, the first picture is of Heath and Stacey with Gracie! Stacey is such a sweetie and has stayed by Heath's side through everything! We love her, too! Okay, I will stop for now, but don't be surprised if I post more pictures! I can't help myself! Our girl is back and we are thrilled!
Love ya Gracie Girl!!!!!! :)

Ballet

Well, I don't know about any of you, but it has been YEARS since I went to see a ballet show! A good friend of mine works for the BalletMet and sometimes gets free tickets. Pretty cool, huh?! She has been working there for almost a year now as an executive assistant. It's a pretty good job 'cause she doesn't have to leave until 8:00 in the morning and is home by 2:00 in the afternoon. I hope to be so lucky someday when my kids are both in school!!! :) Anyway, my friend invited me to see the show "Dracula" put on by the BalletMet. We went to see the show today and it was AWESOME!!!!!! I guess I had forgotten how good the ballet or even theatre plays can be!!! I shouldn't be surprised that I liked it! It reminded me of the art shows that I have been to. I came away with that same feeling. It is just simply so creative and words cannot express it. Maybe that is why they call it "performing arts!" :)) Anyway, it got me to thinking about Carleta's blog (about kids). I started wondering how many children go without ever seeing such a play! Kinda sad, huh?! How would a child ever know if they were interested in the perfoming arts if they have never been exposed?! I must admit - my children have never been to one. I can say, though, that they will definately be going to one now! :) I guess what I'm trying to say is this: kids should be exposed to many, many different things. Education and sports is only a small part of it. There are so many other things that get a back burner like music, art, dance, etc. It would be nice for kids to get the whole experience in life. I don't know how to do this myself, with my own kids, but I am going to strive to find a way. I suppose being aware of it is a big part of it. But, maybe not being so rigid is also a part. And, maybe being open-minded is a part as well. Anyway, after reading Carleta's blog I got to thinking. I want to help my children find wings to fly. Every parent does. My point being: how can our children find their wings to fly if they can't see all of their choices?! I don't know. I feel that I was led to this show for a purpose. It was a good show, but it wasn't ONLY a show for me. I came out of it with a much deeper feeling than that. It is a feeling that I want my children to know about. I want them to see beyond this small horizon of Grove City and Columbus. I want them to see and appreciate the world and ALL that is out there for them. After the show (and even during I guess) I wished I was a child again. I wished I had been given the opportunities that I am talking about. Maybe I would have liked being a dancer. I will never know. My time has passed, but my children's time has not. I am going to give them the chance that so many of us miss out on! Sitting here as I ramble on - I am thinking - I DID go to some performances as a child. Maybe another part of teaching my kids will be TALKING to them. Not only expose them to such performances, but also talk to them about it. Oh well! I am not sure exactly what I am trying to say. I just know that I want my kids exposed to different things in life. I want them to get to see and do things that I never did. I want them to have a fun childhood. I guess I want what every parent wants - the world at my children's fingertips!!!!! :) Most of all - I want them to be happy!!! I don't want them to look back one day and say, "I didn't know I could be that?" I, as their mother, feel responsible! I have been given such an important job and some days I don't feel honorable enough to do it. But I'm sure gonna try! God uses days such as today as reminders on how to do my best. And he uses blogs as reminders, too! :)
Thanks for listening to my ramblings!!!!! I have so many thoughts going through my mind and they are all jumbled. I hope anyone reading this could follow (enough that I don't sound like a crazy gal)! :)
Love ya!

Unexpected Guest!

So, I was talking with a friend tonight - who by the way works for BalletMet and is taking me to see Dracula this weekend!!!!!! Cool, huh?!!!!!! Anyway, we were talking about accidentally burning food and the fire alarm going off - FUNNY, I know!!!! Well, I, of couse, have a story on that one!!!! :)
Okay, it is a nice summer afternoon (last year I think). Jackson and Jacob are playing and Jack's friend, Richard, comes over. I had just put some chicken noodle soup on the stove when the doorbell rang and it was Richard. Well, I have to "all of a sudden" use the bathroom (if you know what I mean)! :) I ask Richard if he will play (entertain) Jack and Jake while I do what I need to do! LOL! So..........I am in the bathroom and I finish and I realize that I have a few minutes away from the kids. So, what does a worn-out mom do?! She takes advantage of it and starts reading a magazine - that is what!!!!! :) Well, I am sitting there (relaxing) when all of a sudden the fire alarm goes off!!!!!!! Well, being the good mom that I am, I RUN OUT OF THE BATHROOM TO SEE IF EVERYTHING IS ALL RIGHT! THERE MUST BE A FIRE!!!!! And, yes, my pants are still down at my feet!!!!!! And, yes, Richard, is still there!!!!!!! How embarrassing to say the least!!!!! As soon as I get into the kitchen I realize that 1)there is NO FIRE!!!! It is my stupid chicken noodle soup that I had forgot about and it is boiling over and steaming up the kitchen! And 2)Richard is there and my pants are at MY FEET!!!!!! So.........I yell for Richard to NOT LOOK!!!!!!! And Richard is yelling back, "I'M NOT LOOKING!" Can you imagine?!!!!!!! The only "good" thing or, maybe I should say "thankful" thing was that I wear long t-shirts so..........my shirt covered most parts that needed to be covered! So...........anyhoo...............we (Mark and I) joke and say that I'm a pervert 'cause a twelve year old boy saw me naked!!!!!!! ROFL!!!!!!!! For the record - I wasn't naked (just my butt hanging out)! ROFL!!! And no one will ever really know what Richard saw (except for him, of course)! LOL! And.........if this story isn't funny enough..........I have another "naked" story I will tell tomorrow! Until then............................good night! :)

HAPPY HALLOWEEN!!!!!!!

Just wanted to wish everyone a Happy Halloween!!!!!! I can't believe it is October already! Before we know it - it will be Christmas!!!!! Yeah!!! The weather is supposed to take a nose dive and be pretty chilly tomorrow! I have a feeling it will be winter coat time! Which makes me wonder? What kind of weather will we have for the pumpkin show?! :) The last few years seems to have been rainy, but warm, well, comfortable. We may just have a "cold" pumpkin show this year! It might be a nice change! I remember back when I was in high school (many moons ago) - when we went to the pumpkin show it would be snowy and freezing! We had to wear mufflers and mittens! That seems so long ago now. Man, how things change! Life changes and it changes fast. Some changes are good and some are not so good. But, then again, some memories of back when are good and some are not so good, either. If I only knew the things I know now! All any of us should do is live in the present! Go ahead and look back (but only for a moment) - this will help us learn from our mistakes and keep the good going. Go ahead and look forward (again, only for a moment) - this will help us be aware of things to come or things that may come and we will be prepared. For the most part, though, just stay "in the moment." That is one thing that I have learned through all of my experiences in life. Once these "moments" are gone there is no getting them back. And it is these little "moments" that make up the big parts of our lives.
My point for today: take time to live in the moments of your life!

I am goofy! :)

Okay - I keep thinking of that song "Rain, rain, go away, come again another day!" It has been raining here since like 5:00 or so. Anyway, that song got me to singing another one: "Oh, no! Suck my toe! All the way to Mexico! And while you're there, comb your hair and don't forget your underwear!" LOL! :) I know - where does this come from?! Trust me - if I knew I would have put a stop to it years ago! :) And here is one last one for the night (it is a poem my dad has been quoting for years): "Little birdy in the sky - went and doo-doo'ed in my eye - me don't care, me don't cry - me just glad the cows don't fly!" ROFL!!!!! I think my title for tonight should have been stolen from Miranda: "I've got a thinkin' problem!"
Oh well. Enjoy! :)

This week's update on Heath

Hey guys! Just wanted to give everyone an update on my brother! He got to come home from the hospital yesterday (Monday)! Yeah!!!!!!! :)) His metal plate ended up coming out b/c the infection would not go away otherwise. After taking it out - the infection is now gone! Thank goodness! So.........now it is a waiting game. He is to continue staying off that foot (which means bed rest and crutches and/or wheelchair). The goal is for his foot to heal on its own to be strong enough to function. If the infection does NOT come back, then he will have physical therapy in a few weeks. They say that will be painful as well. My mom watched my boys on Sunday and Mark and I went to the hospital to visit him. We were there for 4 1/2 hours!!!!! Heath was so sick and tired of being there - so we are all so thrilled for him to be home!!!!! As of today (Tuesday) he is doing well and not having too much pain - which is a good sign! So............thanks again for all the prayers!!!! We hope he is over the roughest patch and it will be better now!!! The poor guy deserves a break. I think I have a better understanding of people who are bed-ridden, though. It sucks and it is hard b/c your mind is still so full yet you are stuck in that dang bed!!! How frustrating!! Lesson for today: you never really know what someone is going through until you have crossed that bridge! I like this phrase that I have said before, but I think it bears repeating (I know I need to be reminded and typing it reminds me): Be kinder than necessary b/c everyone you meet is fighting some kind of battle. It is soooooooooo true! And I have been blessed with all of my wonderful friends!!!!! I love ya! Thanks for all the prayers!

OCTOBER!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Is it just me or did this month of October come quick?! Whew! Time is flying by (I remember when it felt like tomorrow would never come - let alone next week or next month)! And now I blink and it is the next year! :) I really enjoy the month of October - with it not too hot and not too cold - the leaves on the trees changing to beautiful colors - pumpkins and scarecrow decorations - haybarns and hayrides - and the best of all - dressing up for Halloween!!!!!!! I loved it as a kid and I love it still!!!!!!! I am known to dress up every year - and even when I don't - I love watching all the children in their proud costumes!!!!! It is a special time of year and I hope that everyone gets to enjoy it!
Oh, and btw, I have heard that some pretty "cool" people were born in October, too! :) I do know that the first week of November had some "awesome" ones born! :) So............HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO ALL WHO WERE BORN IN ONE OF MY FAVORITE MONTHS - OCTOBER!!!!! LIVE - LAUGH - LOVE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!